Quail Feeder Update – Success and Failure

Lot’s of new information to report on my quail feeder. The new model – buzz bucket – worked well to deliver feed and attract birds while repelling varmits in the quail habitat. It did experience some problems with durability in the wild. The old model – pvc pipe – showed new signs of value in a particular use right after a release at the surrogator. I had some issues with the buzz bucket model so I’ve taken it down and brought the buzz bucket quail feeder back to the shop to rethink the purpose and methods as part of my strategy to raise wild quail.

Buzz Bucket Quail Feeder Damage

Quail Feeder Damage from Squirrels

The buzz bucket quail feeder suffers from a lack of robustness. The lid shows signs of animal gnawing – I suspect squirrels – and this leads to water getting inside the bucket and harming the feed. It’s curious that the electric fence on the buzz bucket did not repel the squirrels nor did the game camera capture them. This is a set back in my efforts to improve the quail habitat.

Feed Flow in a Quail Feeder to Support Raising Wild Quail

Quail Habitat Improvement with a Partially Empty Quail Feeder

The feed delivery speed from the buzz bucket quail feeder was optimal. Feed flowed smoothly but at a slow enough rate that it didn’t normally attracts any varmits. A 50# sack of scratch lasted well over 5 weeks. The feed flowed smoothly around the internal battery compartment and wires. It is important to manage costs downward in my efforts to raise wild quail.

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Quail Feeder Success!

Wild Quail Using a Quail Feeder

The buzz bucket quail feeder regularly attracted wild bobwhite quail to feed. The feed flow rate was sufficient and the feed delivery holes large enough that gravity and wind continued to deliver feed on a daily basis. The primary purpose of this quail feeder is to conduct ongoing quail counts of the wild bobwhite quail population. Rains have been sufficient this year to produce very healthy stand of wild grasses and seeds that the wild bobwhite quail do not need supplemental feeding in the quail habitat.

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Impediments to Quail Habitat Improvement

Whitetail Deer Raiding a Quail Feeder

I did have occasional varmit raids on the buzz bucket quail feeder. It is my practice of raising wild quail when tending the feeder to hand scatter feed which produces an abundance of feed on the ground. What is curious in this picture is that the electric fence that protects the buzz bucket appears not to be working. This was my first indication that the buzz bucket feeder needed to be brought back to the shop for a rethink and redesign.

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Varmits Raiding Quail Feeder

Improving Release Habitat with an Early Model Quail Feeder

The PVC tube quail feeder works very well as a post release attractant to support the newly released wild bobwhite quail. Since it lacks any varmit protection, it is subject to varmit raids. The PVC model quail feeder is simple, inexpensive and very easy to use. I maintain a T post at each surrogator spot specifically for the PVC quail feeder. Upon release of the quail from the surrogator, I take the remaining feed and put that into the PVC quail feeder. I then fill it to the top with scratch feed and let it trickle out over a few weeks.

Improvements to the PVC Quail Feeder

The Early Model Quail Feeder Still Works Well

The size of the feed delivery holes in the PVC quail feeder is important. I’ve finally gotten them large enough to consistently deliver feed via gravity. I started with a 1/2″ drill bit and then generously wiggled it around to enlarge the feed delivery holes. This results in a slow trickle of feed via gravity and wind that takes approximately 4 weeks to empty the quail feeder. While this does not have a big impact on quail habitat, it does improve the chances of newly released wild bobwhite quail.

Summary of Quail Feeder Update – Success and Failure

The buzz bucket quail feeder worked well but needs improvement to serve it’s purpose in my quail habitat management plan. It has problems with being water tight and protected from varmits. The buzz bucket quail feeder also has an unreliable electric fence. The quail feeder does deliver feed nicely and a full feeder can last as long as 4 weeks. The PVC quail feeder also showed new promise as a specific tool to support newly released wild bobwhite quail from the surrogator. The enlarged holes deliver feed reliably for approximately 4 weeks. The PVC quail feeder has no varmit protection but the feed delivery is slow enough that thee varmits are usually only there for the first round of extra feed scattered on the ground after filling the quail feeder with the remains from the surrogator. Both feeders are showing signs of value and improvement in my long term strategy to raise wild quail. I’m making progress on my quail feeder and very pleased with the result and what I’ve learned.